The anticipation of Christmas is drawing near. Presents are being wrapped and excitement is brewing. This week our youngest sat under the tree picking up each present to give it a firm shake as she tries to guess what could be waiting for her to discover. What is inside? It reminded me of my own Christmas memories as a child.

I remember being the first one to wake up. Being the oldest sibling I would creep down the hall to take a peek into the living room to see if Santa had already made his visit. Once I saw that he had come I would glance quickly to see some of the gifts and run back to tell my sister. “Come quick Jess…come quick. Santa came and you are going to love what he brought you.” That’s usually all it would take to stir her awake. Off we would run to wake up our parents. Christmas had arrived and presents were being opened.

Fast forward a few years…I am now a teenager. Christmas morning started to look different. Presents were wrapped not laid out for us to plainly see. This one Christmas I will never forget. I am ashamed to admit this story, but there is so much to learn from it. All of my friends had Dooney and Bourke purses…that’s right the $300+ designer purses, and I wanted one. I told my mom I wanted one and she gasped. I pleaded my case with her that everyone else had one, so I felt I deserved one too. Christmas morning had arrived and my sister and I took turns as we unwrapped each gift. I purposely laid aside the box that looked like a purse box waiting to open it last. I just knew the purse I wanted was waiting on me. The moment had arrived…the last box. I carefully unwrapped it wanting to savor the moment as long as I could. I peeled off the tape on the sides of the box and opened it. There inside was a genuine leather Liz Claiborne purse. I looked up at my mom with disgust and remember saying, “Really…a Liz Claiborne?” My mom burst into tears which was very uncharacteristic of her. I instantly knew I had hurt her but my words had already been said. I couldn’t take them back. My dad stepped in and sent me to my room. There I was on Christmas morning in my room alone as an ungrateful little girl over a purse. I did not get what I wanted, and I had missed the meaning of Christmas completely.

If we are not careful, Christmas can become an overindulged, overspent holiday with no meaning leaving us ungrateful, empty and broken. We must make room for Jesus! In the hustle and bustle of the season, slow down, breathe and consider the real gift that has been given to us. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12

Did you catch that? A Savior has been born TO YOU, Christ the Lord! He is ours to unwrap. There is nothing disappointing about Him. There is no other name above Him. He is the KING of kings and Lord of lords. Celebrate HIM! Make Him the biggest GIFT you receive…and like the shepherds GO and spread the good news. Give HIM away!!!

Merry Christmas!

Decorating for Christmas this year came with an intimate moment for me like I have never experienced before. It happened when I took our Angel Tree topper out of the box. We have owned this beautiful porcelain and gold angel for several years now. The very first year we bought her I was taking her out of the box for the first time when I accidently broke her. They wrap them up like they would a barbie doll with zip ties around every limb to try to keep them safely packaged. Unfortunately, when I went to remove her from the box her porcelain neck cracked. She was broken. At the time I didn’t have anything at the house to fix it, so I just put her up vowing I would fix it later. Fast forward a decade…and there I was on Saturday holding the still broken angel tree topper. This is when I heard God whisper, “It’s time to fix things.” My middle daughter was with me when the moment happened. She saw my tears swell up inside. She asked what was wrong. I told her it was time to fix things that are broken. She went on to ask what all is broken? My answer was quick with a question in reply. What isn’t?

I had her run and grab the super glue from the back and we were starting with this angel tree topper. Then we moved on to the nutcracker that had fallen and broken a few years back. He got fixed too. I know it may sound silly but there was a beautiful and freeing moment in fixing these broken things, and there was major significance in what He was speaking to me. It was time to start fixing things in me that are broken. I am coming up very soon on my 40th birthday. I have mixed emotions about this one. It’s quite possible that this is the marking of the middle of my life. I have been reflecting on my first 40 years quite a bit lately. I have made plenty of mistakes along the way. I have learned. I have grown, and I want to continue in that growth by His grace over the next 40 years, and live them even better than the first. In order for that to happen I am going to have to work on the broken parts of me to make them whole.

So fast forward to the middle of this week, and the message I hear about fixing things continues…but this time I’m confused. The devotion I read speaks about problems being a part of life. They are inescapable in this fallen and broken world. Yes! I agree with that completely as I see the evidence of this truth daily, but I heard Him say to me “It’s time to fix things.” This devotion says don’t let fixing things be your top priority. My conversation with The Lord looked something like this, “God, I am so confused.  I thought you wanted me to fix things. What are you saying to me?” My answer came as I continued to read the devotion. The last two sentences resonated loudly with me. “Rather than trying to fix EVERYTHING that comes to your attention, ask ME to show you what is truly important. Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in the light of eternity.” Friends, we don’t have to take on the burdens of this world and try to fix EVERYTHING. In fact, when we do take on those burdens of fixing things that are not ours to fix we are distancing ourselves from Him. He is the Mender, the Healer. We get to seek Him in what He wants to fix in us and then He does the healing. I suddenly saw myself as the angel tree topper. For years, I have been walking around broken, banged up and bruised, all while trying to fix EVERYTHING else around me. The Lord was intimate with me in such a graceful way to say, “Gen, it’s time to work on fixing YOU.” Tears! I am ready because I know my AMAZING Father is redeeming me and making me new. How about you? Are there things that are broken in you that He is ready to fix? It’s personal isn’t it? Don’t be afraid to ask Him. He will show you and He will make you new! And don’t forget the best part…we are on our way to our forever home. Our problems start to fade away in light of eternity. That is good news my friends!

In closing, of course I heard this beautiful song on the radio after my week of listening to Him speak so intimately. Every word in this song speaks to this truth. This is my favorite phrase:

When you see nothing but damaged goods
I see something good in the making
I’m not finished yet.
When you see wounded, I see mended!

Close your eyes, take a listen and hear Him sing this over you. It’s so beautiful!  Keep on keeping on my friends. Advent is here…Our Lord is coming! Merry early Christmas to all!!!  #truth #gloryup

I want to introduce you to a beautiful servant friend of mine, Linsey. She was one of the first servants I met when I moved to Boerne. She was Kendall Elementary’s PTO President my first year. Everyday without fail she would come and serve in some capacity all while trying not to be seen…completely humble at heart. We also both belong to the same church, Currey Creek, where she is active in serving in many ways. A few months ago she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. When I learned the news my heart ached for she and her precious family. I wanted to do something to help. A Sign-up Genius made its way around encouraging others to sign up to bring the family meals. I opened the email the same day I received it…only a couple of hours of receiving it to sign-up.The first opportunity for my family to bring the Laws family a meal was two months down the road. WOW! The outpouring of love astounded me. It speaks volumes to the amount of love and respect this community has for the this beloved family.

On Monday I took my girls with me to deliver the meal.  I needed their help in carrying it in, but I also wanted them to be a part of serving others in their time of need. On the drive over, tears swelled as I recalled doing the same thing with my mom as a child. My mom has always been an amazing cook, and she has always shared that gift with others. It’s how she shows other people love. I wish I could say that I inherited her amazing cooking skills, but I do share her heart in loving other people by showing up when they need you the most. I told my girls I wanted them to remember this day for always. The Lord marked it extra special for us. Linsey greeted us at the door with a beautiful smile and a welcoming spirit. We all gathered around her kitchen island as I began to ask her how she is doing. Linsey is one of the bravest ladies I know. She inspires me. She answered all of my questions without hesitation and her chin only quivered once when she was mentioning her children. She has completed her 9th chemo treatment out of 27 and she faces radiation at MD Anderson when her chemo treatments are done. She is optimistic and has an amazing peace about her that can only come from God above. You can see Him being her strength, and it is an amazing beauty to see. Before we left, we all joined hands together and prayed. It truly was a beautiful moment for all of us. God was certainly in our presence.

As we drove home He continued to show us His Presence. We looked out our window at the most amazing sunset. Beautiful pinks and blues blended with the white clouds as we drove. Then as we turned onto our street the colors had changed to an amazing shade of orange with a hint of red. It took my breath away. I felt Him speaking to us through the beautiful artwork He was revealing. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36

Friends, there is nothing more fulfilling than serving others because we are serving Christ Himself. When we take our eyes off of ourselves and place them on to the interest of others beautiful and amazing things happen. Linsey has lived a life of serving others and now she is getting a beautiful outpouring of love showered over her. Our God is faithful to us. He shows up. He never leaves us. He takes every single step we take with us. We do serve a mighty and faithful God!

How are you serving Him today? Is there someone hungry that you can feed? Is there someone new you have met that you could invite them into your home? Is there someone that needs clothes? Who can you serve that is sick or is in prison and needs a visit? Let’s put love in action and serve others! I promise you it is worth it!!!  #gloryup #truth

Before you close your eyes tonight, will you lift up Linsey Laws to our Heavenly Father above? When I asked her permission in sharing her story with all of you she was gracious and said “Yes, I could use all the prayers I can get.” Let’s shower her with them today!  We love you Linsey and we are praying!!!  XOXOXO

My Dearest Father,

As I take an honest look around at the condition of our world, my heart breaks. I weep big tears knowing how broken we all are before you. You see it all. Nothing escapes you. We are all guilty before you. Father, please forgive us. Forgive us of our selfish pride and arrogance that continues to rear its ugly head and tells us that this world is all about us. That is the biggest lie we listen to. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you. Your word tells us that our attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. This is hard for us Lord. We often think that we can do things better and wiser than you and we take matters into our own hand. Oh how wrong we are. Please forgive us. Help us to do everything without complaining or arguing, so that we may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. Help us to shine like stars in the universe.

This week has been hard for all of us, Lord. Have mercy on us all. I am grateful that we have a Savior that has passed through the Heavens. I am grateful that He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Thank you Jesus for interceding on our behalf to the Father. You have been tempted in every way, just as we have, but did not sin. WOW! Thank you Father for understanding our hurt. Thank you that we can come before you confidently and receive your mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need EVERY TIME. Thank you for always being there. You never leave us or forsake us. You are faithful Father. Thank you for loving us first. We love you too! Amen

Philippians 2:5-11
Philippians 2:14-16
Hebrews 4:13
Hebrews 4:14-16

The one thing that unifies us more than anything else in this world is not our beliefs, values or opinions…it’s when we come together to pray. Won’t you join me today and lift up this prayer? When we approach His throne of grace with confidence we receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. That time is now…Lord hear our prayer!

This week will be a week our family will never forget. Our oldest daughter and her teammates made their way to the UIL Team Tennis State Tournament in College Station to compete with the best of the best for the title of being a State Champ. I would like to tell you that all of those memories we have wrapped up in the past two weeks have been storybook perfect but that would be the furthest from the truth. It’s had many challenges and trials just like most weeks do. I actually resented the fact that we couldn’t have just one week without them. Just one…is that too much to ask? I found myself having this conversation in my quiet time with my Creator. As always when I am honest with Him He is faithful to be honest with me in return.

“Do NOT be discouraged by the difficulty of keeping your focus on Me. I know that your heart’s desire is to be aware of My Presence continually. This is a lofty goal; you aim toward it but never fully achieve it in this life. Don’t let feelings of failure weigh you down. Instead, try to see yourself as I see you. First of all, I am delighted by your deep desire to walk closely with me through your life. I am pleased each time you initiate communication with Me. In addition, I notice the progress you have made since you first resolved to live in My Presence. When you realize that your mind has wandered away from Me, don’t be alarmed or surprised. You live in a world that has been rigged to distract you. Each time you plow your way through the massive distractions to communicate with Me, YOU ACHIEVE A VICTORY. Rejoice in these tiny triumphs, and they will increasingly light up your days.” Jesus Calling – November 1, 2016

After reading these words with tears, I knew I had to share them with our oldest. She too was struggling with all of the pressures of school work, being a teenager and being on a team competing for a State Champ title. That’s a lot of pressure for a 15 year old girl, and I wanted her to be able to release that over to the one who loves her the most. I cracked open her door while she was sleeping and sat at the end of her bed watching her sleep. I patted her on her shoulder to gently wake her to ask her if I could share something with her that really spoke to me. She opened her eyes and leaned over to turn on the lamp. I read the devotion to her with a shaky voice and a misty eye that released a tear as I finished reading. I followed it up by telling her that I loved her, I was so proud of her and for her not to be afraid to communicate with Him. Every time we plow our way through the massive distractions and communicate with HIM, WE ACHIEVE A VICTORY! EVERY TIME!

I watched every point of every match at the State Tournament. I could see her wrestle and fight for every point. I watched her walk to the back fence several times to regain her composure and to “communicate with Him.” I whispered to Him, give her a victory! Give her a victory! I wanted her to WIN so deeply. I wanted her to taste and see that every time she communicated with Him a victory was in store, but the win did not come the way we intended. She and her Boerne Greyhound Teammates were defeated by the Abilene Wylie Bulldogs. There were tears as the medals were placed around each player’s neck. They were going home after an amazing hard fought season.

Here’s the thing about victories…some we get to see in the form of trophies and accomplishments and some we don’t. As much as we desire the trophies and the accolades, it’s in the quiet unseen victories where we accomplish the most. I believe with all of my heart there were unseen victories in our midst yesterday. Each time my daughter communicated with Him, there was a victory! Each time I communicated with Him there was one too. As I laid down early to go to bed, tears fell again as I communicated with Him. I asked Him specifically for a couple of things and then closed my eyes to rest. I had probably been a sleep a couple of hours when I turned over. I heard voices in the living room. I tuned in to listen. It was my husband and daughter speaking together about the day and our trials of the week. My specific prayer I prayed was being answered in that living room. This was a victory he let me hear and see. It was worth way more to me than any State Trophy ever could be.

Friends, whatever trial you are enduring keep fighting! Keep communicating with Him. There is a VICTORY every time you do. Memorize these verses and let them reach deep down into your soul: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

To the BHS BOERNE GREYHOUND TENNIS TEAM…YOU HAD VICTORY this season in ways we could see and ways we could not see! You are the 1st TEAM in the history of Boerne High School to make it to the State Championship. WOW! We are SO PROUD OF YOU! Trophy or no trophy you are champs to us. Thank you for an amazing season where we all grew in unfathomable ways!

Her heartbeat climbed to 197 over a 7 hour span as she and her husband were on a mission to rescue three young women from sex trafficking. Danger is an understatement when it comes to this line of work. She reached out to her closest family and friends for prayer. They needed help. They knew they could not fight this battle alone. The prayers began and the circle widened. Those praying reached out to their close circle of friends to pray. This is how I came to pray for these brothers and sisters in the faith. Our circle sent the prayers back and forth to each other throughout the morning. We knew who was trying to stop them from succeeding.  We claimed VICTORY over them and we BELIEVED God would be MIGHTY to SAVE! We were all standing in the battlefield with them. Later that evening we received word that our God was VICTORIOUS! Not only had he calmed the physical beating heart like He calms the raging seas, but God had doubled his fruit! There were 5 young women between the ages of 18 and 19 years old that were RESCUED and SAVED! PRAISE GOD!

This story is a beautiful one of the mighty power of prayer! It reminds me of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison in Acts 12. He was bound with two chains, sleeping between 2 soldiers being guarded by 16 sentries standing guard at the entrance. There was NO WAY OUT! But the church was earnestly praying to God for His escape. An angel appeared and awoke Peter from his sleep telling him to get up as the chains fell off. The angel continued to give Peter instruction and Peter followed him all the way out of the prison. Peter thought he was experiencing a vision until he came to himself realizing that God had sent an angel to free him. He went immediately to Mary’s House where many were gathered in prayer for him. They couldn’t believe their eyes when he was standing before them. Their prayers had been answered.

Sweetest Friends, our God hears our prayers. He loves to answer us when we pray, and He is always MIGHTY to SAVE! Do you believe? I do. Just this week I have seen a local pastor be rescued and saved…He is ALIVE and only through the work of our Mighty God. There were many in the church praying.  I have seen not 3 but 5 young ladies be rescued from the chains of sex trafficking. There were many in the church praying. They will no longer be bound by those chains. They are FREE! I have seen a teenage heart soften after weeks of having a hardened heart. There were many in the church praying. Our Lord and Savior that raised Lazarus from the dead is still ALIVE today, working in miraculous ways that we cannot see or understand. Angels are in our midst doing the work they have been sent to do. Churches are praying and gathering together. God is hearing and is answering. Be a Prayer Warrior! Stand in the gap for those in the battlefield. BELIEVE God is listening and is actively answering when you pray. “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 

Then when you SEE Him answer in MIGHTY WAYS…SING, DANCE and SHOUT IT TO THE ROOFTOPS!  Our God is on the MOVE!!!  He is MIGHTY to SAVE!!!

Friends, join me at 9a today to lift up a friend that will be going into surgery. I am claiming His sweet healing hands are upon her through the doctors and nurses. Will you stand in agreement with me? I’ll keep you all posted and we can sing and dance together!!!  I believe! Be a Prayer Warrior!!!

This week I heard God speak to me in the middle of the woods while I sat in a folding chair underneath a cedar tree gazing at the stars. It’s amazing what you will hear when you get away from all of the distractions and you are simply still in His presence. He speaks. I listen. It’s been a tough few years for me and my family. We have endured so much in such a short time. We’ve had to let go of any and everything that we held dear to our hearts. My grip used to be tight on the things of this world, but as I have grown closer to Him I have learned to loosen my grip. Let go and TRUST. It hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s been down right hard.

He has been with me through it all helping me to keep pressing on towards the goal. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about Him walking alongside of me, guiding me and encouraging me through. I am grateful for His faithfulness. He whispers sweet and gentle things. “I see you. I love you. I am not finished with what I started in you. Keep trusting me my child. I am fulfilling my promises to you.” Can you hear Him speak those words to you? I hope you do because He whispers them to all of His children.  There is not one of us He doesn’t love.

The morning after my special time with Him in the wilderness I stumbled upon these words:

“Therefore I am now going to allure her. I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.” Hosea 2:14

I couldn’t believe the words I was reading. I had never read them before. I needed to understand the context so I read on and spent time studying the footnotes of the verse. Here is what it says: “God was promising to bring the people to the wilderness, a place free from distractions, so he could clearly communicate with them, and to change what had been a time of difficulty into a day of hope. God uses even our negative experiences to create opportunities to turn back to him. As you face problems and trails, remember that God speaks to you in the wilderness, and not just in the times of prosperity.” Wow! Tears! Affirmation!

Our God has not forgotten us. He is working His master plan for all of our good. He can turn the most difficult days and trials into masterpieces. He speaks. We listen. A day of hope is coming…don’t ever let go of holding on to hope. Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:3-5). Get alone with Him in the wilderness, in those quiet places where you can hear His voice, wherever you can be still. Hear Him speak tenderly to you and may you BELIEVE that He will fulfill His promises to YOU! He is faithful. You are LOVED!
#truth #gloryup

It’s everywhere you turn. You can not seem to escape it. You want to get away from it, but it keeps finding a way in. NEGATIVITY. Oh how lethal it is. If we know how toxic it is why in the world do we participate in it? Have you ever really stopped to ponder this question? Have you ever been to a restaurant or a party where the music was turned up too loud in the background, and it made it difficult to carry on a conversation? Instead of getting up and leaving we compensate, and we just talk louder so we can be heard over the noise.

The world in which we live in is truly exhausting me. I wonder if this is what Moses felt when he was leading the Israelites to the Promised Land?

“So they quarreled with Moses and said, Give us water to drink. Moses replied, Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” Exodus 17:2

These are the people that The Lord had rescued from slavery in miraculous ways, yet they still had unbelief and grumbled. Manna and quail were provided for their meals, water was given from rocks yet they still carried on with their negative selves. Oh how I see us in them. We grumble, we complain, we quarrel with one another all while on the way to The Promised Land. It breaks my heart for all of us. What if we stopped the grumbling? What if we TRUSTED in The Lord with all of our hearts? What if we truly waited on Him to see us through to the Glory Land?

“The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now. The Lord replied, ‘I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times – not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.” Numbers 14:18-23

These are difficult words to read. We always like a happy ending, but not all endings are happy especially when it comes to the testing of our Lord. I hope we begin to take notice to our grumblings. I hope we will stop our unbelief and start to turn to TRUST in the Sovereign God who has the best plan for all of His creation. I learned a new acronym just last night for W.A.I.T.. It’s a good one…Why Am I Talking? What if we stopped to think before we speak? What if instead of getting louder to be heard above the noise we stopped participating in the noise. Turn off the garbage being fed to us through our televisions! Sit around with your family and close friends and love each other instead. Enjoy each other’s company. Quit replying to comment feeds on Facebook that only stir others on to anger. Just STOP! It’s not helping. Here’s what helps:

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But ENCOURAGE one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.” Hebrews 3:12-14

Let’s encourage one another daily. Let’s help each other to keep our hearts soft so we won’t be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. All of this noise is a simple distraction from the enemy. It’s time we wake up and get our eyes FIXED on Jesus. He is the ONE who has already overcome! The battle is already won! He can be trusted! Hold firm to your confidence sweet ones. Persevere. Don’t ever quit…keep fighting the good fight! #truth #gloryup

October is a hard month for me. It’s a month that is forever marked with brokenness after experiencing the loss of my first daughter almost 17 years ago. She would be a Senior in High School this year. It’s a kind of pain that can not be described, only felt by those who have walked in similar footsteps. Yet each year rolls around and the month of October continues to surface. I remember. This October 1st was even harder for my family. It’s been one year since my mother-in-law’s passing. I can still recall every moment of that scary day.  I remember.

A few weeks ago, before October was here, I received notification that I had been chosen to be on Ann Voskamp’s book launching team. This means that I am getting the opportunity to read her new book, The Broken Way, before it is released to the public. The Broken Way! The title alone speaks to my heart but after viewing some of the first pages I know He chose me for a reason. I understand brokenness, and I understand how God meets us there. I have experienced Him in the intimacies of every broken way in me.

“We are never abandoned when we hold on to remembrance. What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it. That’s it. What matters in your life is not so much what happens to you but what you happen to remember – and how that will influence how your life happens. What and how you remember will determine if your broken,
dis-membered places will re-remember you in your broken places.” Ann Voskamp – The Broken Way

Wow! Re-read that slowly and let it sink in. How do you remember things in your broken ways? I love that God gives me the opportunity to remember. As hard as it is to face each year I remember so much beauty in it. I remember being surrounded by people that loved me. I remember my husband never leaving my side. I remember the support that surrounded me and held me up to see me through. I remember holding my first born child and loving her beyond words. I remember letting go. I remember crying. I remember every card that came in the mail to lift my spirits. I remember the flower company delivering another plant…that same plant that continues to be watered today and is alive and well.  I remember!

“In Christ – no matter the way, the storm, the story – we always know the outcome.
Our Savior – surrounds.
Our future – secure.
Our joy – certain.
When we know Christ, we always know how things are going to go – always for our good and always for His glory. Somehow Love can lodge light into wounds.” Ann Voskamp – The Broken Way

Isn’t that beautiful truth! No matter what we face in this world, when we know Christ we know the outcome! Knowing Him helps me to remember differently. Knowing Him means that saying goodbye to my baby and my mother-in-law is not permanent only temporary. I have a reason to hope and lean in to my future and keep climbing, keep persevering, keep pressing on towards the goal. Listen friends…keep climbing! The best view is still yet to come. I can only imagine how it will take our breath away.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ” Romans 8:18 ESV

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19 ESV

Let us remember well! He gave thanks, was broken and gave himself away. What a gift we have been given. Have you accepted Him as the truth and the way to the Father? I pray you have, and I hope you continue to give it away. The gift was not intended for us to keep to ourselves. We get to keep passing on the gift…the good news of Jesus Christ. Share the good news with someone you know today.

“What is going on mom?”…”What’s happening?”…“Pray! We are ok. Do not panic!”…”I’m about to cry this is so scary.”…“Hang in there! I love you!”

This is a series of text messages from one of my daughter’s from last week. We did not know when we left our home last Thursday that we would be faced with a lock down at our high school. A rumored gunman from a post on social media brought on the need for investigation. My heart wanted to be with my babies. I wanted to swoop in and hold them in my arms to keep them safe, but I couldn’t. I had to bring about a sense of peace to them even though I was shaking inside. What in the world is going on? Why does it feel like everywhere I turn the world is in complete chaos? People are turning on each other, lashing out in hate. Just turning on the news can leave me breathless and without hope for our lost and broken world.

All I could do was cry out to the only hope I had, JESUS! While I was locked in a fireproof vault with a grandad, 3 students, and 5 colleagues I silently prayed for His rescue. I asked Him to send His angels to superintend our needs, keep us safe and reach the heart of this hurting student. Our Administration Team blew me away with their swift and steady decisions. There was a sense of calm in the midst of the storm. The police arrived and were acting as a team with our administration and after a thorough search we were released safely back to our classrooms. I was going to be able to hold my girls again, kiss my husband again and continue to LIVE. Everyone in that school had experienced rescue…this is a reason to sing!

We went to church on Sunday as a family. As we stood to sing our Worship Leader introduced the next song to us. It was not one we usually sing. It prepared our hearts for the message we were about to hear, and the words were actual feelings that each of us in some season in our life have felt. “When the pieces seem too shattered to gather off the floor and all that really matters is that I can’t feel you anymore. I need a reason to sing, I need to know that you are holding the whole world in your hands, and I need a reason to sing.” I invite you to take a listen to this song today. Close your eyes and allow yourself to simply breathe. You have a reason to sing!

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:4-5 
Just as John was obedient to write down these words to be recorded for us, I write them to share them with you. I pray that you know Him, the one seated on the throne, The King of kings and Lord of lords. His words are trustworthy and true. He has overcome this world. He most certainly is still holding the whole world in His hands. This day that John describes is coming true. We will experience a Heavenly home, our true home, where there will be no more tears, death, mourning or pain. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait! What a day of rejoicing it will be. Friends, we DO have a REASON TO SING!  Keep holding on to faith! Press on towards the goal.  Keep trusting in Him who is faithful. He’s got us in the palm of His hands. #truth #gloryup